Monday, June 21, 2010

Daytona's Coke Zero 400 Goes 3D At DirecTV and NASCAR.com

We have been talking about the rapidly expanding appeal of 3D to the sports television marketplace. Until today, the NASCAR TV partners denied any plans to use 3D technology this season. Well, the folks at Turner have changed all that.

Here is a portion of the release from Turner, NASCAR and the NASCAR Media Group:

NASCAR Media Group and Turner Sports announced today that NASCAR’s first foray into 3D programming will take place on July 3, 2010 with a special presentation of the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola (TNT, 7:30 p.m. ET).

The 3D production, NASCAR’s first ever, will be made available through TNT RaceBuddy on NASCAR.COM (NASCAR.COM/RaceBuddy3D) as well as through DIRECTV, and will complement a special television presentation on TNT, highlighted by the network’s groundbreaking signature Wide Open format.

NASCAR.COM will feature 3D feeds for the Daytona race in addition to the mosaic of HD-quality complementary unique camera angles available on TNT RaceBuddy on NASCAR.COM (NASCAR.COM/RaceBuddy) throughout the six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races televised on TNT.

Turner, which manages NASCAR.COM, will also make the Sprint Cup Series race from Daytona International Speedway available in 3D through DIRECTV. In order to experience the event in 3D, viewers will need a 3D TV or PC display with matching 3D glasses. Fans can go to www.nascar.com/racebuddy3D to get more information about the hardware and software used to view the 3D production online.

“One of our goals here at NASCAR is to continuously explore ways to improve the viewing experience for our fans,” said Jay Abraham, chief operating officer of NASCAR Media Group. “Offering the Coke Zero 400 in 3D on NASCAR.COM and select television distributors is a great example of that consistent exploration. Our fans have been asking us about 3D for several months so we’re excited to deliver that to them for the first time ever in what will likely change how NASCAR is consumed moving forward.”

The 3D production on NASCAR.COM and DIRECTV will feature two custom racing feeds produced specifically for 3D. The first will provide a unique look at the racing action from strategically placed cameras around the track designed to maximize the effect of 3D. The second stream will bring the mayhem of pit row into the third dimension creating a one-of-a-kind visual experience.

“At Turner Sports we pride ourselves on innovation through testing, learning and exploring new products and technologies that can better serve our audiences on a multitude of platforms,” said Lenny Daniels, Turner Sports EVP and COO. “We see this as an opportunity to showcase our marquee primetime race in Daytona through our signature Wide Open format on TNT, as well as to learn more about 3D through this unique presentation online at NASCAR.COM and through DIRECTV.”

Well, that is an interesting first step into the world of 3DTV for NASCAR. There will be much more information coming along and we will update this page when it does. In the meantime, get those 3D glasses for Daytona!

We welcome your comments on this topic. To add your opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

can't say that I care about 3D at all. I bought a flat screen HD TV a couple of years ago, I don't have plans to invest more $ in a 3D type. I'll get my 3D racing when I go to the track. NASCAR and its TV partners have more to worry about than this kind of stuff.

OK, so $2,500+ for the right type of TV? I don't get why you're so excited about this, yet you get upset at the idea that a NASCAR fan would have to pay $15 a month for SIRIUS or Showtime to get their NASCAR programming.

It's still too early for NASCAR to start doing this. How many households in the US have a 3DTV or 3D computer monitor? And better yet, how many of these watch NASCAR? Better do the math before you start wasting money on projects that will most likely fail. 3D also doesn't make the race any more interesting. They should wait a few years until 3DTVs become as cheap and common as current HDTVs.

I won't watch it in 3D, but I think it's kinda cool. They may as well do this now so they can be ready years from now. If anything, this is just a learning experience and a test run for the future. It's only one race anyway so there's no reason to get worked up about it.

It seems to me the temptation to use the 3D will simply encourage more 'gimmick' shots to play up the 3D aspect, thus leaving even more of the actual racing in the dust. An interesting experiment, but I wish they would spend the time and energy on improving the overall coverage of the race, rather than on yet another way to divert attention from it.

It'll be interesting guess my 'puter doesn't support it. I did the 3D test thingie and whatever was to download to do the test looked like it was going to and then it disappeared? Oh well!

I did like the IMAX movie thought that was cool having it in 3D but not sure how it'll go over in a race. A lot of the "magic" will be lost not having glasses/proper TV to really experience it unless they've magically done something to get the effect on regular TVs. With the IMAX movie you get "some" of it but it's not the same as it was in the theaters. When watching you remember parts of it where certain things were "right there" that you could practically touch them.

But...but...but...Ziggy if you buy one now you get a free Blu-Ray DVD :p.

Wait a minute, is it 2014 already?? I think I lost a few years somewhere... Hey NASCAR, NMG, TV partners, NOT!!!! Unfortunately I think this is alot of wasted time, effort & money on something that only .0007% of fans- if that many- even have the equipment for 3D, let alone actually are going to watch the 3D. Just for gaffs I tested our rather new TV & computers, and they didn't pass. We certainly aren't going to spend any upgrade money just for this AND, even if we had it, we'd spend that money to goto Daytona instead!!!!

This commentary is NOT a knock against WideOpen coverage, which we think is the best NASCAR TV presentation all season.

I dont think this is a bad idea. I mean Nascar is clamoring for new fans and viewers and what better way than 3D TV. Look at it this way, 3D is so new that so far only the world cup is being broadcast in 3D so if people do have the capability to watch the 3D broadcasts, they will tune in Nascar in 3D to get use of that "overpriced" set they bought. I know its a very small group of people who own them but its a start.

Just wondering, with a 3D camera shot, whenever a right front tire lets go & someone slaps the wall directly in front of the camera can we expect the race car to come barreling right into our living rooms ??? I'm comparing this to a Disney type scenario where you can practically reach out & touch the objects. If not, why waste money ?? :) :)

This could be cool if you have the equipment (which I don't!). However, the launch timing might not be the best idea in this economy. In any case, I would try it as long as I don't have to see either of the Waltrip huksters in 3D - that would be a nightmare with depth!!